Chaplin: The Musical at WaterTower Theatre
Music and Lyrics by Christopher Curtis Book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan
Directed by Shane Peterman
Music Directed by Vonda K Bowling
Choreography by Ann Nieman
Stage Manager and Sound Designer Josh Nguyen
Asst Stage Manager Ruby Pullum
Scenic Design by Kae Styron
Lighting and Projection Designer Adam Chamberlin
Costume Designer Christina Vargas
Prop Design Elizabeth Kensek and Kae Styron
Wig Design Michael B Moore
Line Producer Erica Harkins
Associate Director JC Schuster
Orchestra
Conductor Keys 1 Vonda K Bowling
Keys 2 Vicky Nooe
Kat Glaze Violin
Chad Ostermiller Reeds 1
Christy Springer Reeds 2
Carlos Strudwick Trumpet
Tyler Bjerke French Horn
Molly Wang Cello
Sal Bollinger Bass
Nate Collins Percussion
Cast
Max J Swarner
Lauren Mikael Weber
Duke Anderson
Andrew Nicolas
Brian Gonzales
Laura Lites
Kylie Stewart
Emery Gray
Jude Laine Lewis
Allison Arroyo
Lucas Bierrenbach
CJ Weber
Livie Chiou
Blake Henri
Spencer Laboda
Donovan Marie Lawson
Lisette Sandoval Perez
Tilda Grace
Nik Blocker
Daniel Vanegas
Evelyn Dumeer
Steven Rios
My thoughts on the second preview of Chaplin: The Musical at the WaterTower Theatre or…the triumph of the Little Tramp
There is much to admire in the WaterTower’s Chaplin. Kae Styron’s set, Adam Chamberlin’s lighting and projections, and the costumes designed by Christina Vargas are outstanding and keep the changing eras clearly defined.
Shane Peterman’s fluid direction and use of space, that glorious music from Vonda K. Bowling and the orchestra, and Ann Nieman’s lively, period influenced choreography keep us enrapt in the world of Chaplin.
All those aspects of Chaplin work and work beautifully, but what you are always going to remember about Chaplin is the phenomenal performance of Max J. Swarner in the title role. Swarner takes Chaplin from boyhood to stardom to disgrace and exile to ultimate triumph and brings a dazzling humanity to the groundbreaking, legendary screen star. Swarner, with his tender, yet powerful, tenor, agile moves, and winning demeanor becomes inseparable from the character, bringing out both Chaplin’s vices and virtues. Swarner’s strength as a musical comedy actor is undeniable, but Swarner’s skills as a dramatic actor are also evident here. At the beginning of Act II, Swarner as Chaplin delivers the stirring final speech from Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator” with spellbinding power and his final moments as Chaplin at the 1972 Oscars had many of the audience in tears. If there was a word that is stronger than “bravo,” I would use it here to salute Max J. Swarner.
There are many others in the cast who also make Chaplin: The Musical the success it is. Duke Anderson, as Charlie’s loyal and loving brother Sydney, has the warmth, charm, and somewhat the appearance of a young Dick Van Dyke, but with a marvelous voice that Mr. Van Dyke would envy.
Andrew Nicolas is Alf Reeves, Chaplin’s true and concerned friend from his music hall days through his Hollywood fame. Nicolas, a gifted comic actor with a terrific singing voice, brings depth and sincerity to the character.
Brian Gonzales goes from WaterTower staff to WaterTower stage as the master of slapstick comedy and renowned early Hollywood film director Mack Sennett. Gonzales as Sennett is egotistical and blunt, but Gonzales’s comic timing and appealing stage presence, make the Keystone Cops creator a memorable character.
Then there are all those women in Charlie’s life. According to legend, they are countless, but the most important ones are featured prominently in the musical.
Lauren Mikael Weber portrays Hannah Chaplin, Charlie’s mother. Although she is Charlie’s first inspiration and a music hall performer herself, Charlie’s relationship with her becomes strained when she becomes mentally unstable. Weber is heartbreaking in the role as she goes from loving mother to a perennially hospitalized mental patient whose dementia prevents her from recognizing her own son. Charlie’s relationship, or lack thereof, with his mother haunts him throughout his life.
Emery Gray is Mildred, the first of Chaplin’s many wives. Although just a teenager when she married Charlie, Gray gives Mildred style and grace in her brief, but impressive appearances.
Also impressive is Kylie Stewart’s winning portrayal of Charlie’s last wife and enduring love, Oona O’Neill. Stewart has a lovely soprano voice and is endearing, sincere, and convincing as Oona.
As Charlie’s nemesis gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Laura Lites, as they say in the current vernacular, slays the role. Lites as Hopper is arrogant, self-assured, and malicious in her efforts to bring down Chaplin. Lites is that character you love to hate and the prodigiously talented Lites just about brings down the house bringing her belting best to “All Falls Down.”
There is an incredibly hard working and very talented ensemble in the musical who play various roles and change characters (and costumes) seamlessly. They are singing, dancing, and acting marvels. They include Jude Laine Lewis, Blake Henri, Spencer Laboda, Donovan Marie Lawson, Lisette Sandoval Perez, Tilda Grace, Nik Blocker, Daniel Vanegas, and swings Evelyn Dumeer and Steven Rios. Kudos also to the young actors who rotate performances in the musical.
Chaplin: The Musical was not a success on Broadway, but the WaterTower’s mounting of the musical makes you wonder why, as all the elements are there. I can’t speak for the Broadway production, but this Chaplin is immensely entertaining with the incomparable Max J. Swarner delivering a spectacular, unforgettable performance.
